LECTURES 7 and 8: BIODIVERSITY

(Concepts and Measurements)

OVERVIEW: 2010 AS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY

OVERVIEW: THE BIO-DAVERSITY CODE VIDEO

LECTURE 7: BIODIVERSITY

CONCEPTS and HOTSPOTS

BIODIVERSITY: Definitionvariety of life forms, ecological functions they perform, genetic variations they contain

the diversity of life on Earth

variety at all levels of b i o l o g i c a l organization

COMPONENTS OF BIODIVERSITYG e n e t i c d i v e r s i t y –genetic variation within populations or species

S p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y –numbers of species within an area; umber of species in a community. More species = greater species diversity

Ecosystem diversity–v a r i a t i o n a m o n g e c o s y s t e m s , c o m m u n i t i e s , landscapes

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT?

Economic value–resources, including food, medicines and other helpful chemicals, genes for better crops

Utilitarian value–prevent erosion, purify water, recycle CO2, regulate climate, recycle nutrients through decomposition, collectively, “ecosystem services”

Psychological value–direct or indirect enjoyment of nature

Intrinsic value–independent of humans

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

BIODIVERSITY QUALITY MAP

BIODIVERSITY-RICH AREAS

PROTECTED AREAS

THREATENED AREAS

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

Habitat DestructionOver-exploitationChemical (Environmental) PollutionBiological Pollution (Species Level)Weak Institutional and Legal Capacities

FEEL THE CHANGE...The forest cover in the country has been reduced from more than 50 percent to less than 24 percent over a 40 year period (1948 to 1987)

Only about 5 percent of the country’s coral reefs remains in excellent condition

About 30-50 percent of its seagrass beds in the last 50 years

About 80 percent of its mangrove areas in the last 75 years, have been lost

About 50 percent of national parks are no longer biologically important

WHAT MAKES AN ECOSYSTEM HEALTHY?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

DECISION 101: WHICH SPECIES TO

CONSERVE?

PHILIPPINES AS A HOTSPOT

(CHECK OUT: ACTIVITY BOOK FOR ENDEMIC AND THREATENED SPECIES)

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

Priority Sites for

Conservation in the

Philippines: Key

Biodiversity Areas

LECTURE 8: BIODIVERSITY

MEASUREMENTS

Measures : INDICATORS OF THE WELL-BEING OF ECOSYSTEMS

Species Richness: Number of species in the community

Species Evenness: Relative proportion of individuals belonging to each of the species

Species Diversity: Shannon-Weiner index

GROUP WORK ON BIODIVERSITY MEASUREMENTS

FORM 4 GROUPS (9-10 PER GROUP)

CHOOSE A CAR PARK AND OBTAIN THE FOLLOWING DATA, FOLLOWING YOUR WORKSHEET (Prepare one-page report in an acetate)

CHOOSE A REPRESENTATIVE AND REPORT YOUR RESULTS NEXT MEETING

DATA TO OBTAINPROPORTION (pi) = Number/total

Log (pi) = Get LOG using your calculator

pilogpi = Multiply previously obtained value with your proportion

H’ = -Σpilogpi (Get sum of your previously obtained values then Multiply with a negative sign to obtain a positive value